In 2007, Celebrity Cruises created Azamara Club Cruises. It’s a sophisticated yet relaxed way of traveling that delivers unique destinations.

One of the coolest things about Azamara is that they feature an overnight or late night stay (after 8 pm) on every itinerary. Let’s face it; more goes on in many destinations after the other ships leave at 4 pm. You'll have plenty of time to explore without the crowds and maybe take in some land side nightlife.

Azamara always includes complimentary gratuities, spirits, beer, wine, bottled water, drinks and special coffees. And I just received notice that we will again be offering a $300 ship credit, a welcome aboard bottle of champagne and a private behind the scenes tour for all our Platinum and Centurion Members. ENJOY!

Here is a really awesome opportunity for single travelers. Luxury river cruise company, Avalon Waterways, is offering a wide selection of Europe river cruises without a single supplement. Nice thing about this offer is that single travelers can enjoy their own accommodations and still enjoy the company of others during shore excursions and shipboard activities.Here is my favorite. An 11-day cruise from Paris to Côte d’Azur. This trip starts with two nights in Paris with guided sightseeing with your new friends. Then ride the TGV train to Dijon. Sip on some Burgundy wine during wine tasting events and guided sightseeing before boarding your ship. Before your disembarkation in Arles, you will be sailing through the peaceful Camargue area.Avalon Waterways is waiving the single supplemental charge on river cruises beginning March 29, April 2, 12, 16, 26, and May 24. It is limited to ten single cabins per date and reservations must be made by January 27, 2015. Other amenities apply, so call one of our travel consultants soon for all the details. We are with you every step of the way.

You are an experienced traveler, and I know this because you are here. Your opinions can change the direction of travel -- but only if you share what you have learned during your travels.

Travel & Leisure is conducting their 2015 Worlds Best Awards right now. We encourage all of you to make your statement. Once you have registered and answered a few basic questions about yourself for survey purposes, you may choose what items and which companies you would like to rate. You may start your survey at your own pace and return later to rate additional items.

If you have a favorite tour company, cruise line or hotel, they will greatly appreciate your participation. In today's digital world - your opinion matters and can help to make a positive change for all.

You may even win the $10,000 grand prize.

Last Friday The Travel Gallery escorted a group of 20 guests down to Port Everglades to experience a private tour and lunch on board the beautiful Five Star Silver Spirit. We boarded our bus in Tequesta at the Travel Gallery office and enjoyed a smooth ride down to Ft. Lauderdale.

John Wilson, our Silversea Representative, began our tour in The Bar which is the ship’s main lobby and welcome center for new passengers. The Bar is where everyone meets in the evening for cocktails, music and dancing before dinner.

From there we headed up to Deck 11 to the Observation Lounge, the only public room overlooking the bow of the ship with a beautiful view of the ocean. As we descended to the lower decks we viewed three categories of suites, starting with the most popular Silver Suite which comes with a private bedroom and is large enough to accommodate three guests. Nearby, we viewed an Owner’s Suite which boasts 1,292 square feet and may be modified to a two bedroom suite.

Next came the Veranda Suite at 376 square feet. This category of suites make up for 80% of the suites on board the ship which holds 540 guests in total. All suites come with butler service, stocked mini bar, and personalized stationary, binoculars, umbrella and Wi-Fi access. We were also impressed with the choice of bedding on Silversea ships. The cruise line is owned by an Italian family so the officers are Italian and naturally very proud of their heritage. Nothing but the best Italian Pratesi Linens are used on board for everyone’s sleeping comfort.

Our lunch was delicious with first class service to match. Especially memorable was the gourmet crab appetizer and the superb wine selection. We want to thank John for being such a congenial host and thank you to our clients for participating in a wonderful excursion. As one client said, “We should do this more often!”

Like to join us on a ship tour? Let me know and I will keep you on my list.

Look up! Was that Santa?

There are a few events during the Christmas Season that are very magical. Maybe it is a smile from a stranger, an email from an old friend, or seeing Santa commuting to work on Chicago's 'L'.

The CTA Holiday Train is a festive, holiday tradition that you may be able to catch in Chicago if you look up. The Holiday Train substitutes for a standard 'L' along one of the regular routes. It could be just about anywhere throughout the city with its flashing lights, candy cane railings, Santa, his elves, and a good dose of holiday cheer. Trains run now through Christmas.

The CTA Holiday train began in 1992. That first year, employees posted a sign on the front of the train that read, "Seasons Greeting from the CTA." The train delivered food to various charities around the city.

Today, the Holiday Train visits every train station on every line throughout its run during November and December. It still delivers food to various charities around the city, but it also delivers cheer and smiles to millions of commuters every year. The train operates from about 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on select weekdays and makes all scheduled stops at stations along the line.

If you are in Chicago and you have been a good person all year long, maybe - just maybe - you will get to ride on Santa's train.

I was researching ski packages to Steamboat Springs today for a client of mine. Steamboat has been one of my favorite destinations in my 40+ years on the slopes.

If you haven't been skiing for a while, then you might be surprised by the cost of single day adult lift pass during the holidays at some of the finest resorts in Colorado:

Steamboat Springs $111

Aspen $129

Crested Butte $106

Purgatory, Durango Mountain Resort $74

A-Basin $89

Don't find yourself looking to purchase tickets at the ticket window

All of the major resorts that I have checked on offer 'online' or 'early bird' type discounts if you purchase online. I have seen savings of 25% off daily lift prices for online purchases. The online savings can be quite high for a week-long ski vacation.

It is now official. Richard Branson’s family owned investment group has announced the formation of Virgin Cruises. Most details have not been officially announced but here are some of the “buzz words” circulating the industry. 1.Two world-class, luxury ships will be built. Rumors say the ships accommodate about 1200 guests. 2.Rumors also say the ships will be operating by 2019, and the only hint that Mr. Branson has dropped is that the ships will, “attract people like myself who’ve never been on a cruise ship,” 3.Based on more hints and Branson’s style in travel, experts feel the ship will cater to a luxury offering with many of the ‘add-on’ features (for which others charge a fee) inclusive to the cruise fare. 4.The cruise line will be based in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area. This is also home to the three other giant cruise conglomerates Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines. 5.Bain Capital has been secured to financially support the new cruise line, so this operation has some big dollars behind it. 6."We plan to shake up the cruise industry and deliver a holiday that customers will absolutely love. They'll be sailing on the latest ships offering great quality, a real sense of fun, and many exciting activities all delivered with the famed Virgin service," said Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson in a statement. 7.Tom McAlpin will be the new CEO of Virgin Cruises. McAlpin, is a former president of The World, Residences at Sea and Disney Cruise Line. He is not saying much at this point, but he did express his vision that, "Cruise guests deserve something better and different to what is being offered today, and Virgin Cruises is committed to creating breathtaking experiences for them and a new generation of guests." 8.The partners have said they plan to “make waves’ within an industry that is ready for reinvention. With the big players all into onboard entertainment equipment, it will be interesting to see what Virgin is planning.

Mii Amo Spa, Sendona Arizona

Most of us would agree that in today's hectic world, most of us do not pay attention to the need for relaxation and a little pampering. I would like to tell you about a truly amazing spa. The Mii Amo Spa is located in the magical Boynton Canyon in Sedona Arizona. Mii Amo offers three, four or seven night spa packages that are tailored to your specific needs and requests. Upon your arrival, your personal spa representative will design your program. It might include a jojoba butter wrap, stretching, joint work, Shiatsu. Additional classes in cooking, dance, vortex energy are offered throughout the day. You may also indulge in spiritual therapies such as Chakra balancing and Native American sweat-lodge traditions. The spa also offers traditional stress-reducing therapies such as yoga, swimming and hiking. With so much to do at Mii amo, your destination spa vacation can be as relaxing or as exciting as you like. Choose from an amazing variety of fun, interesting, enriching and educational activities that will recharge your spirit and renew your enthusiasm while creating wonderful memories.

"The only thing bad I could say about Mii Amo is that I am not there now!!"

There are 16 rose colored spacious casitas for the guests and over 100 employees there to serve and pamper those special guests. Just imagine how rejuvinated you would feel after four or seven days at this chic and trendy luxury spa.

The Mii Amo was rated the #1 domestic spa by Travel & Liesure Magazine for 2014. For additional information on the Mii Amo spa please contact one of our travel consultants today. If a more international spa is to your liking, may I suggest the Ranch La Puerta, Tecate, Mexico. This spa was rated #1 internationally by Travel & Leisure.

The Travel Gallery has had a long and successful relationship with Safari Royale. We invite you to take a moment to review the attached photography safari group offer for next year.

Safari Royale will have a professional photographer Hal Brindley. Hal has been featured in magazines, newspapers, and on television stations around the world. The package includes Marataba and the Cape so hopefully that will be enough variety to keep all photographers in focus. This safari comes in at $4495.00 per person which is a great price range for 10-days in South Africa. Guests can always extend and travel on their own to Vic Falls or Botswana if they have more time.

Hal will be on the trip throughout and will advise guests on professional photography as well as running workshops at the lodge during the day, with the idea that everyone should leave from this trip with a personal collection of professional quality photographs on safari as well as in the Cape. Only 13 couples will be allowed on this safari. May we recommend using the American Express Platinum Card benefits to get up to 2-for-1 savings on business class air.

About Hal Brindley

My real goal in life is to travel the world and to learn about the incredible variety of creatures that fill it. When you learn about these beasts, you start to care about them.That is what I hope to pass on to you, the notion that Planet Earth was not designed for human beings to rule. We are just one of the many incredible by-products of evolution, like all the plants and animals and one-celled doo-dads that surround us. I believe that we can consider the rest of our kin, the community of life, when we make our everyday decisions.

Seabourn Cruise Line has ordered another new ship for delivery in 2018.

The new ship is nameless at this point, but she will be a 604-passenger ship that is about 26% larger than the three Odyssey Class ships that Seabourn introduced back in 2009. It will have one additional deck as compared to the Odyssey Class ships. Seabourn has already ordered a new ship due to launch in 2016

Seabourn has an outstanding reputation for service. I have been told that during the lifeboat drill, the Seabourn photographer will snap pictures of the guests since all should be present at the drill. The guests names are applied to the pics and they are posted in the crew area so the staff may learn the names. Pretty cool idea.